Paper tape machine



May 19, 1931. J. OLSEN PAPER TAPE MACHiNE Original Filed Dec. 23, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Lima-(2)170 0256/9,

w m W/ "IIII/IIIIIII May 19, 1931. J. OLSEN PAPER TAPEMACHINE Original Filed Dec. 23, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwue'nfoz vise 27a Olsezg.

Patented May 19, 1931 PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH OLSEN, F PORTLAND, OREGON I'APER TAPE MACHINE Application filed. December 23, 1926, Serial No. 156,743. Renewed October 14, 1930.

This invention has reference to paper tape machines of the type used extensively in store for. supplying strips of gummed tape from V a roll and one of the principal objects of the invention is to provide means for incising the tape longitudinally to divide it into two or more strips of uniform width.

A further object of the inventionis to provide a paper tape machine of generally improved construction and design, affording a simple and inexpensive device embodying comparatively few working parts arranged in a novel manner to operate with greater efficiency and to facilitate the making of repairs or replacements.

lVith the foregoing in view, the invention provides a paper tape machine having a plurality of cutters for incising the tape longitudinally and operating means for positioning the cutters either in a neutral position to permit the tape to pass through full width or in selective cutting positions for severing the tape in two or more strips, as desired. In addition, indicator means are provided for designating the particular width of the strips into which the tape is cut when the various cutters are in their respective cutting positions, and lock means are provid ed for holding the cutters in cutting position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the device, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a paper tape machine having the invention embodied therein.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine as it appears after the removal of the roll of tape therefrom. V

Figure 3 is a front elevation thereof, showing the arrangement of the cutter mechanism.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view of the cutter mechanism.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary and diagrammatic views showing a variation in the form and arrangement of the cutter mechanism.

Figures 8 and 9 are fragmentary and diagrammatic views showing a further variation of the cutter mechanism.

The frame of the machine is preferably of metal construction and is composed of two side members or plates (10) and a bottom member (11), the latter consisting of an elongated narrow strip bent to provide a substantially V-shaped pocket, as shown, and secured to the sides 10 by means of the angle brackets (12). A roll (13) of tape is disposed loosely in the V-shaped pocket, being supported by the diverging sides of the latter, and is held in place merely by its own weight so that it gravitates towards the bottom of the pocket as its diameter decreases, due to the constant use of the tape. The tape is withdrawn from the bottom of the roll and is fed upwardly along the inclined side or guide (14) of the pocket which is pro-vided near its outer extremity with a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally extending slots (15) through which the various cutters of the device are exposed when the tape is to be severed into strips. Disposed transverse of the frame and secured to the sides of the latter by means of the angle brackets (16) is a retaining member (17) formed of an angularly bent plate having its lower inclined portion spaced above the slots of the guide 14 to permit the tape to pass freely thereunder, the said inclined portion being provided with a series of slots or openings adaptcd to register with'the slots of the guide.

The cutter mechanism for severing the tape into strips is located below the slotted portion of the guide and presents as many knives as there are slots in the said guide. In the present instance, the cutter mechanism is shown and described as comprising only three knives or cutters, but it is to be understood that a greater or lesser number may also be employed according to the number of strips into which it is desired to divide the tape. 7

One form of cutter mechanism is shown in Figures 1 to 42 inclusive. This embodies a horizontal shaft (18) journaled in the sides of the frame and having one end extended outwardly of the frame to receive and support an operating member, such as a circuangles to the holuer and in'the direction ofrolar nut or handle (19). Fixed on the shaft by suitable locking means, such as the screw (20) is a tubular sleeve (21) having a number of radially extending arms so relatively disposed that the intermediate, arm (22) ex- 7 ,tends from one side of the shaft while the other arms project from the opposite side, all'lthe' arms,,however, preferably lying in the same straight plane. Each arm. is bifurcated at the outer end to provide a slotted holder (24) for the insertion-therein of arcu-tter blade (25) arranged to extend at right tation'of theshaft, the latter being rotated 'andlbolt' arrangement, as shown.

For example, assuming the full width of the tape to be l i-nches and it isd-c'sired to sever the tape into two strips of Z inch width each, then the shaft isrotated until the cutter of the intermediate arm 22 isexposed through the center slot 15." The tape will thus be equally divided into two Z -inch strips. Whenthe shaft is rotated to expose the cut-' ters of the two remalmng arms 23 through the :twoloutside' slots 15, the'tape will then have two incisions dividing it into three strips of -inch width'each. When the shaft isturned'so that none of the cutters are in cutting position relative to the tape, the latter may 'be withdrawn full width from the machine; The various dimensions :are marked at quarter points on the peripheral edge of the circular nut-or handle 19 to enablethe operator to. properly position the cutters,v in;

I hold" the cutter in position and to prevent reverse rotation "of the shaft, especially when the, tape lsmovmg agamst'the cutters, suitable locking device is provided which consistsiof a ratchet-wheel either integral with or fixedon one end of the sleeve 21 and aspring (29) and theratchet-wheelis provided' with. four teeth adapted to successively remainingt'wo teeth respectively engage the notchnaccordmg to whether the cuttersare positioned for-either a single or a double cut.

a pawltQZ) havingoneendpivoted,- as at (28) ,'to -a .side' of the frame below the ratchetwheel. Thelpawl vconsistsof a notched bar held or pressed against the ratchet-wheel by enterthe notch ofthe bar'as the shaft is ro-. tated, the said -teeth being formed at quarter 7 7 points on the ratchet-wheel corresponding to V the dimensions indicated on the circular nut,

two of the teeth being thus adapted to enter the-notch i-n either one orthe other of the twoneutral positions of the cutters, whiletlie jA nother form of cutter; mechanism is shown in Figures 5 to 7 inclusive. In this arrangement, the shaft (18a) is on the order of a crank shaft having three crank portions, including an intermediatecrank (212a) and two outside cranks (23a), corresponding in function and operation to the arms 22 and 23 ofthe sleeve. 21 previously described. Mounted on the cranks and projecting at right angles thereof onthe same side of the shaft are knife holders (2464) held in place by screws or other suitable locking means which can be released to permit angular adjustment of thelholders with respect to the cranks. Each holder has inserted thereon a cutter blade (25a), as shown. The crank shaft is provided on the outer end witha lever19a which, when pressed down at either end, will rock the shaft 'topositionfthe cutters for either a single or a double. out. In this connection, it will'be observed that the plane of the'lever is so inclined to, the plane of the cranks that when the lever is inja horizontal plane, as indicatedin the full lines of Figure (3, the cranks of the shaft are inclined to the horizontal and disposed inv a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the inclined guide 14a, with the cutters (25a) in a, neutral or non-cutting position below the slots of the guide. The lever is provided with three indicators located at the, ends and center respectively of the lever and differentiated by the markings ti and as shown. These markingsdenote'the width of the various strips delivered by themachine. When: the intermediate indicator marked 1 is horizontal orface up, the cutters are in neutral-position and therefore permit the tape to pass over :the guide full width.

When the lever is pressed down on the end having the indicator marked %.,then the cutterof the central crank 22ais moved'upwardlyinto cutting positiomithereby cutting the tape longitudinally into two equal 'or A -inchstrips. Likewise, to cut the tape into three equal of -inch strips,- the lever is pressed down onithe end marked The upward and downward movementiofthe cutters are regulated by thelocking device shown at 30. This may consist of a fiexiblecl-ip'of spring metal positioned on the outside ofthe frame belowthe lever 19a and anchored at the lower end by anysuitable fastening means The upper free end of theclip is spaced outward from the side of the frame and, has relatively spaced apart slots or grooves (32) dis'posedradially with respect to the axis of rotation of the shaft' A centrally depending tongue [(33), carried by the lever, is adapted to be engaged ini'the slots or grooves for holding the lever, and'consequently the shaft andv cutters, in any one 'of'the threeposition's.

:A further 'varmtion in the cutter m echa nism is disclosed in Figures 8' and 9. In this form, each cutter 25 isseated-ina holder24b provided at the end of a spring arm (34:). The spring arms are fastened directly to the underside of the inclined guide 14?) in line with the respective slots 156 but are so flexed to move the cutters downwardly and entirely clear of the slots. To operate the cutters, a shaft (35) is provided, having operating members or projections (36) corresponding to the number of spring arms, there being an operating member for each arm. As the shaft is rotated, the various operating members are brought into contact with the corresponding spring arms and cause the free ends of the latter to be elevated until the cutters are exposed through the slots 15?) in position to incise the tape. It is obvious that the operating members may be variously disposed upon the shaft to actuate the cutters in a variety of ways. In the present instance, however, when only a single and a double cut is desired, two of the operating members are located on the same side of the shaft to operate two of the cutters simultaneously, the remaining operating members being oppositely disposed to actuate a central cutter for making a single cut for the purpose and object previously explained. This form also embodies a simplified locking device for holding the shaft in the position to which rotated, consisting of a spring tongue (37) projecting from the shaft and having a small knob adapted to engage in properly placed recesses or notches (38) in the outer side of the frame.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the invention provides a machine capable of de livering either a full width strip or a plurality of smaller width strips, the dimension of which can be varied and changed at the pleasure of the operator to suit difierent requirements. It is apparent also that the invention is susceptible of many different applications, and it is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein shown and described, but that alterations and changes can be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. In a paper tape machine, a guide member for a strip of paper provided with a plurality of slots, a shaft disposed opposite the guide member and carrying a plurality of cutter blades, operating means carried by the shaft to selectively project the blades into operating position through the slots, and means associated with the shaft to maintain the cutter blades in operative position.

2. In a paper tape machine, a guide memher for a strip of paper provided with a slot, a shaft disposed opposite the guide member and carrying a cutter blade, operating means carried by the shaft to project the blade into operating position through the slot, means associated with the shaft to maintain the cutter blade in operative position, and means to prevent displacement of the blade in the direction in which the tape is adapted to be moved.

3. In a paper tape machine, a member formed with a plurality of slots over which a tape is adapted to be passed, a shaft asso ciated with the slotted member and carrying a plurality of cutter blades arranged in definite groups, a handle carried by the shaft to project groups of the blades selectively into operative position through the slots, and means associated with the shaft to maintain tpe cutter blades in operative position in the s ots.

4 In a paper tape machine having a frame, a guide member for a strip of paper provided with a plurality of slots, a shaft rotatably mounted in the frame and carrying a plurality of cutter blades, operating means carried by the shaft to selectively project the blades into operating position through the slots, and a pawl and ratchet associated with the shaft and frame to maintain the cutter blades in operative or inoperative position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

JOSEPH OLSEN. 

